Prater fails to file financial report

But the well-known local businessman, owner and operator of Prater’s BBQ in Morrison, says he has nothing to hide and the whole thing is just an oversight.

In fact, Prater says he didn’t even realize there was a problem until someone contacted him about an article in the Tennessean.

‘I didn’t know anything about that until somebody called me and told me about it,’ Prater said yesterday.

Prater said he is aware of the new ethics policy, but thought he had fulfilled the requirements by turning in information at the local level. Of the 6,700 elected officials required to file the forms, only four did not, according to a watchdog group called the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.

‘It’s just something I overlooked,’ Prater said. ‘I filled one out for the county, and this is something I guess I missed. I’ve either misplaced it, or overlooked it somehow.’

Prater said he had no reason not to file the form, which was due Jan. 31, and would certainly have done so in a timely manner had he known about it, particularly considering there is the possibility of a stiff fine, up to $10,000, for failure to file.

One of the problems, Prater said, is the fact this is a new requirement for elected officials, and according to county officials, this form was sent out from the state, rather than at the local level.

County Executive John Pelham has been very supportive of Prater, even going so far as to obtain the form for the commissioner to fill out and drafting a letter to Bruce Androphy, the executive director of the Tennessee Ethics Commission, in Prater’s defense.

‘We have already drafted a letter to Bruce Androphy, who is over the Tennessee Ethics Commission, to assure him this was simply an oversight,’ Pelham said. ‘There was no reason these forms were not filled out, and we’re working with Mr. Prater today to get these forms completed and overnighted to their department tomorrow.

‘And we’ve also faxed and mailed a letter supporting Commissioner Prater,’ Pelham added, ‘noting our opinion is that it simply was an oversight, and thanking them in advance for averting any penalties that might be assessed in this case. The letter and form that everyone was sent called for a potential fine of up to a $10,000 fine, but we certainly hope, with this being the first year that these forms were required, that they will show some leniency on behalf of, not only Mr. Prater, but the other three individuals in the state in this situation, giving them the benefit of the doubt that it’s probably the same circumstances with them.’

Despite assertions that registered letters were sent out, Prater says he doesn’t recall being notified he wasn’t in compliance.

‘I never got any calls from anybody. I never got any certified letters,’ Prater said.

But Prater said he is anxious to rectify the situation by submitting the form as quickly as he can.

‘I’m going to fill one out today,’ Prater said. ‘I’ve already made arrangements with everybody. I’ve already called Nashville, hoping that we can work this out. I’ve talked to some people this morning. This is all new to me.’

Prater says the potential fine is a major concern for him.

‘The $10,000 fine is a pretty steep fine,’ Prater said. ‘It would hard for me to pay that. I think what they’re going to do is have a meeting today about how they’re going to enforce this, so hopefully we can get this resolved pretty quickly.’